Villages West

ASHBURY

Ashbury is a pretty downland village lying on the southwest edge of the Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire.  The village has many period properties and amenities include a church, village hall, post office, and popular primary school and country pub/small hotel.  Wantage is situated approximately c.9 miles to the east and the M4 Junction 15 within 5 miles, Marlborough c.13 miles, as well as the commercial centre of Swindon c9 m, which also has a main line station to London Paddington in c.55mins.  Further more comprehensive amenities can also be very conveniently found at the nearby adjacent village of Shrivenham c3.5 miles.

BAULKING

Baulking is a small village and civil parish about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Faringdon in the Vale of White Horse district of Oxfordshire.  The village has an elongated village green running north – south, on the side of a slight rise of land bounded on two sides by a bend in the river.  In ancient times Baulking was a market town in which by 1792 it had ceased to be held.  The village community has a superb Grade-I-listed 13th century church, an Equestrian Centre and access to delightful walks in the countryside surrounding, giving an idyllic peaceful semi-rural feel to village life.  A good community spirit amongst the residents there are many social gatherings around the green.  The village of Uffington is within easy reach with a shop, pub and excellent pre-school and primary school, museum and pottery with further amenities nearby within market towns of Wantage or Faringdon. Didcot to the east (A417) has a mainline train service to London Paddington (c.45 minutes).  What’s on www.oxfordshirevillages.co.uk/valevillages/baulking.html

CHILDREY

The delightful downland village of Childrey is situated in the Vale of the White Horse close to the historic town of Wantage and on the edge of the Berkshire Downs.  It has its own popular primary school, playgroup and toddler group, shop, pub, a church and a chapel, as well as a village hall and playing field with a playground area and has a parish population of approximately 500.  There is also a regular bus shuttle service to Wantage and the neighbouring villages, where at Wantage there is a regular weekly market and also regular farmer’s market in the square and an excellent range of amenities, including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, high street banks, local shops and cafes, a museum, sports centre with swimming pool, health centre, dentists and also King Alfred’s sports (secondary) college. Excellent road links via the A417 to linking to the A420 Oxford – Swindon route or A34 Oxford – Newbury – Winchester route. The community hosts a range of clubs, and groups.  What’s on http://childrey.org.uk/

EAST CHALLOW

East Challow is situated just 1 mile to the west of Wantage (with footpath access to the town) and the village affords a popular primary school http://www.st-nicholas-pri.oxon.sch.uk/ with an established pre-school attached, public house, church, village hall and a delightfully placed cricket pitch with club house. There are also excellent road links to A420/A34 via the A417 (West and East), which in turn lead to the M40 (North) and M4 (South). Didcot is situated to the East with a mainline train station to London (Paddington c.45mins). 

FERNHAM

Fernham is a picturesque Oxfordshire village in the Vale of the White Horse with views towards White Horse Hill, the oldest hill-carved horse in the country.  This delightful village has more than 80 properties, three farms, a church with a recently developed village hall facility, a popular pub/restaurant, two village greens, a village pump and a children's play park.  Swindon lies to the west and Didcot to the East both with mainline train services to London Paddington (c.45 minutes).  Excellent road links with nearby A420 Oxford – Swindon options. Excellent schools are available locally. Outdoor pursuits with golf courses at Carswell and Frilford Heath and equestrian centres at Little Coxwell, Highworth and Goosey, you all have White Horse Hill and the Ridgeway for walking, horse riding and cycling on your doorstep. What’s on http://www.fernham.info/

FYFIELD

Fyfield is a village in Fyfield and Tubney civil parish, about 4.5 miles (7 km) west of Abingdon and has a population of circa 600. The village used to be on the main road between Oxford and Faringdon, but the A420 bypass now carries the traffic just south of the village.  There has been a manor at Fyfield since at least the 10th Century and this attractive historic village also benefits from a 13th Century parish church.  Excellent road links to Oxford, Abingdon, Witney and the north/London via the A420/A34/M40 and also the commercial centre of Swindon.  There is a main line train station to London from Oxford and also from Didcot to the east (Didcot - Paddington c.45 mins).  Excellent state and private primary and secondary education with the locality.  For leisure there is an excellent 500 acre 54-hole golf course at nearby Frilford. https://www.frilfordheath.co.uk/ 

GAINFIELD

Gainfield is a small hamlet in an area of outstanding beauty situated equidistant to the larger villages of Buckland, Stanford in the Vale and Charney Bassett, within the parish of Buckland. Buckland is a village and civil parish about c.4m northeast of market towns Faringdon and c.8m west of Wantage, in the Vale of White Horse District. Gainfield is situated between Oxford and the commercial centre of Swindon c.16m via the A420, where both also benefit from mainline train services to London (Paddington).  There are several excellent schools located nearby.  Heathrow Airport circa 1.2 hours.  Outdoor pursuits locally include golf courses at Carswell and Frilford Heath and equestrian centres at Gainfield, Goosey, Little Coxwell and Highworth as well as the outstanding countryside surrounding Gainfield including White Horse Hill and the Ridgeway for walking, horse riding and cycling. 

GOOSEY

Goosey is an unspoilt hamlet with a delightful semi-rural ambience with the properties attractively arranged around and overlooking an infamous Medieval Green, situated midway between the market towns of Wantage and Faringdon.    There is also a good selection of primary and secondary education within the town itself in addition to the Abingdon and Oxford schools.  Wantage has excellent road links to the A34 via the A417, which in turn leads north to Abingdon c.10 miles, Oxford c.17 miles (M40), alternatively south (M4) J14 c.9.4 miles. Didcot is situated to the east with a main line train station to London (Paddington c.45mins).

GREAT COXWELL

Great Coxwell is an attractive village situated just off the A420 in the Vale of the White Horse, approximately two miles south west of the market town of Faringdon. It is particularly appealing as it is one of the few in the area which benefits from being a predominantly cul-de-sac village.  Evidence has been found in the village of both Iron Age and Roman occupation. The magnificent 12th century Tithe Barn and St Giles' church is the oldest building in the village.  Great Coxwell has an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways, which pass through attractive countryside. From these there are impressive views towards the White Horse. Sporting facilities include a nine-hole golf course and a riding school within the village and further golf courses at Carswell and Frilford Heath with racecourses at Newbury and Cheltenham.   Further comprehensive amenities can be found in nearby Faringdon, Wantage or Stanford in the Vale.  Excellent private and state education can be found nearby.  The M40 (Oxford) and M4 (Swindon) are available via the A420 for fast route access to all major road networks and a mainline train link for London leaves Didcot, (Paddington c.45mins).

HINTON WALDRIST

Hinton Waldrist is a village and civil parish in the Vale of White Horse. The village is between the city of Oxford c.12m and market town Faringdon, 9 m (14 km) southwest of Oxford. The parish includes the hamlet of Duxford.  In 1086 the Domesday Book recorded the village as Hentone, Old English for "high farmstead".  The village has a 13th century church, village hall and bus service as well as a range of community clubs and events organised within the locality.  There is a good range of both state and private education in the area including a local primary school at the nearby village of Longworth.  Market town Wantage c.10 m has a good range of amenities including shopping, banks, leisure and health facilities.  Hinton Waldrist has excellent road links via the A420 Oxford – Swindon route, where at both there is also a main line train service serving London (Paddington).

IDSTONE 

Idstone is a tiny downland hamlet lying on the southwest edge of the Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire, with a mix of attractive brick-built and thatched chalk cottages. The nearby village of Ashbury offers many local amenities including a church, village hall, post office, and popular primary school and country pub/small hotel.  Wantage is situated approximately c.9 miles to the east and the M4 Junction 15 within 5 miles, Marlborough c.13 miles, as well as the commercial centre of Swindon c9 m, which also has a main line station to London Paddington in c.55mins.  Further more comprehensive amenities can also be very conveniently found at the nearby adjacent village of Shrivenham c3.5 miles

KNIGSTON LISLE

Kingston Lisle is situated at the foot of the Berkshire Downs c.64 miles west of London nestled around glorious Kingston Lisle Park, a Grade II listed mansion and country estate.  The bustling market town Wantage is located c.5 miles east and offers an excellent range of amenities include Waitrose, Sainsburys and a plethora of shopping and coffee shops. Swindon lies c.14 miles to the west and city of Oxford lies c 21miles north. The village sits at the foot of Blowing Stone Hill in the scarp of White Horse Hill, with the ancient chalk horse where Uffington Castle and the Ridgeway are also close by.  The village has a good pub which is also a popular bistro restaurant as well as a playground and a Church with c.12th Century Church origins.  Being an estate village there are also a number of businesses within the attractive Lonsdale Estate yard.  The village is served by Uffington Primary School just over 2 miles away, to which there is a free bus service as well as the excellent Abingdon and Oxford Schools which are within reasonable distance and there are also very well regarded comprehensive colleges in both Wantage and Faringdon.

LETCOMBE BASSETT

Letcombe Bassett is a delightful downland village situated south of Wantage and benefits from a village hall, playground, and bus service. Adjacent sister village Letcombe Regis has the popular ‘Court Hill Centre’, which is a unique facility for exploring the nearby Ridgeway (a national trail) by walking, cycling or even horse riding as well as offering photography, teaching, catering tea rooms and accommodation. Nearby market town Wantage offers a popular weekly market and regular farmers’ market as well as a comprehensive range of shopping, leisure, health and recreational facilities, schools for all ages, a regular bus service, Library, museum, a good selection of local shops, cafes, a boutique, small restaurants and public houses. Excellent road links to the A34 via the A417, which in turn leads to the M40 in the north and the M4 in the south. Didcot is situated to the east with a main line train Station to London (Paddington c.45 mins).

LETCOMBE REGIS

Letcombe Regis is a delightful downland village situated south of Wantage and boasts a Church, village hall, sports field, playground, pub, shuttle bus service and the popular ‘Court Hill Centre’; a unique facility for exploring the nearby Ridgeway (a national trail) by walking, cycling or even horse riding as well as offering photography, teaching, catering tea rooms and accommodation. The village community also benefits from the use of the facilities at the exclusive Richmond Village Retirement development, where there are leisure facilities, a shop and a restaurant.  Nearby Wantage has a weekly market and offers comprehensive shopping, leisure, health and recreational facilities, schools for all ages, a regular bus service, library, museum, , cafes, boutiques, small restaurants and public houses.  Benefitting from excellent road links to the A34 via the A417, which in turn leads to the M40 in the north and the M4 in the south. Didcot is situated to the east with a main line train Station to London (Paddington c.45 mins).

LITTLEWORTH

Littleworth is a small attractive village and civil parish positioned off the A420, almost 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Faringdon. The parish includes the pretty riverside hamlets of Thrupp and Wadley and is near to the village of Buckland, which is served by a traditional pub, an excellent primary school, shop and bus service.  Littleworth is ideally placed within easy reach of the A420 Oxford to Swindon and major road networks (M40), (M4).  Further facilities  are available in the nearby market towns of Faringdon, Abingdon or Wantage as well as private and state education provision for all ages.  There is also a good selection of traditional pubs and restaurants within the locality

SHRIVENHAM

Shrivenham is a thriving village with many thatched cottages, stone walls, an ancient pump and a Norman church. Shrivenham has excellent amenities including a pre school and primary school, doctors, food stores, hairdressers, post office, pubs etc.  Shrivenham has been the site of UK military colleges since 1946 when the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS) was established on the Beckett estate. Shrivenham is approx. 7 miles from Swindon and 24 miles from Oxford.  Swindon to the west and Didcot to the East have mainline train services to London Paddington (c.45 minutes).  Excellent road links via the nearby A420 Oxford – Swindon route. There are an excellent selection of schools within easy access. Heathrow Airport circa 1.2 hours.  Outdoor pursuits locally include golf courses at Carswell and Frilford Heath and equestrian centres at Little Coxwell, Highworth and Goosey, as well as the outstanding countryside surrounding Fernham including White Horse Hill and the Ridgeway for walking, horse riding and cycling.

SPARSHOLT

Sparsholt is an idyllic small downland village tucked away in the Vale of The White Horse, a location that offers all the benefits of rural life while placing Swindon, Wantage, Newbury and Oxford within easy reach.  The village has a beautiful Church and an award winning Gastro pub with accommodation known as The Star. Nestled at the foot of the Berkshire Downs in outstanding countryside from where you can explore a landscape rich in natural and historic appeal, excellent for walking, cycling or horseriding.  Sparsholt has a regular bus shuttle service to Wantage c.4 .  Adjacent Childrey is situated to the east c.1 mile with a shop as well as a popular primary school and country feed/craft outlet.  Sparsholt has excellent road links via the A417 to the A420 Oxford /Swindon or via Wantage the M4 (J14 c.13 miles) at Hungerford Newtown or to the East the A34 to Newbury/Oxford.  Didcot is also situated to the east and has a main line train service to London Paddington (c.45 minutes).  

STANFORD IN THE VALE

Stanford in the Vale is an appealing and thriving downland village in the arresting Vale of the White Horse forming part of South Oxfordshire, famous for its ancient prehistoric chalk horse on the South Downs where, it is also believed, St George slayed the dragon.  Situated midway between market towns Wantage 6 miles and Faringdon 5 miles, easily accessible from the A417, the village itself caters for day-to-day needs with a gastro pub, Church, Co-op supermarket, post office, excellent primary school, pre-school and village hall.  Oxford lies 16 mile away and Swindon 15 miles, both accessed via the A420, Oxford and Didcot have mainline train services to London (Paddington) in under 1 hour.  There is an excellent selection both primary and secondary public and private schools.  Outdoor pursuits locally include golf courses Frilford Heath and Carswell, near Faringdon and equestrian centres at neighbouring Goosey and Gainfield. 

UFFINGTON

The village of Uffington lies on the edge of the Vale of the White Horse, just north of the Berkshire Downs. Directly overlooking the village is the famous White Horse, a marvellous chalk figure which was cut into the hillside 3000 years ago.  The village has a fine church, known as The Cathedral of the Vale, and an excellent museum, newly re-sited and built shop/newsagent, excellent pre-school unit and primary school, pub, large community hall, park and separate sports ground/club house as well as host of community clubs and organisations.  Further information on village activities can be found on the village website http://www.uffington.net/ More facilities are available in nearby market towns of Wantage c.7 miles and Faringdon, 7.5 miles and Didcot to the East c.15.4 miles has a mainline train service to London Paddington (c.45 minutes).  Abingdon c.15.2 miles, Oxford (M40 North) c.20miles and Swindon (M4 South) c.12.4 miles.  Uffington has literary connections too. John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, lived in the village and Thomas Hughes, author of Tom Brown's School Days, was born at Uffington vicarage. Several of Hughes' books are based on local people and places; the museum is actually housed in the school featured in his most famous work.

WEST CHALLOW

West Challow is a village and small civil parish about 2 miles (3 km) west of the market town of Wantage in the Vale of White Horse. The course of the former Wilts & Berks Canal passes through the parish, skirting the south side of the village.  There is also a petrol station and small business park on the other side of the A417 which is very accessible from the village.  West Challow itself benefits from a village hall and a lovely church and is only a short footpath walk from Childrey, a larger village with a primary school, shop and a pub.  The larger sister village East Challow is a little further beyond, within reasonable walking distance along the canal, and also benefits from primary school, pub, village hall and church and DIY/antique and second hand furniture outlet.  More comprehensive facilities can be found at Wantage.  There are also excellent road links to A420/A34 via the A417 (west & east), which in turn lead to the M40 in the north and the M4 in the south. Didcot is situated to the east with a mainline train station to London (Paddington 45mins). Heathrow Airport 1 hour.  There are also excellent school options nearby.  Heathrow Airport circa 1.2 hours.  Outdoor pursuits locally include golf courses at Carswell and Frilford Heath and equestrian centres at Little Coxwell, Highworth, Goosey and Blewbury, as well as the outstanding countryside surrounding West Challow including Ridgeway for walking, horse riding and cycling and White Horse Hill.

WESTCOT

Westcot is a small downland village adjacent to the village of Sparsholt, which has a beautiful Church and a country pub/bed and breakfast known as The Star and a bus shuttle service to the nearby market town Wantage c.4 miles, which has a comprehensive range of shopping, health, leisure and recreational facilities as well as a schools for all ages. Further information on community activities and events around Westcot can be found by accessing the village website www.sparsholtandwestcot.org/.  Childrey is situated to the east c.1 miles of Sparsholt and has a village shop as well as a popular primary school and country feed and craft store.  Although off the beaten track, Wescot has excellent road links via the A417 to the A420 Oxford /Swindon or via Wantage the M4  (J14 c.13 miles) at Hungerford Newtown or to the East the A34 to Newbury/Oxford.  Didcot is also situated to the east and has a main line train service to London Paddington (c.45 minutes)